Team USA is on a mission to avenge its overtime loss to Canada in the gold medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Games and got off to a great start Thursday by blowing out Slovakia 7-1 in its opener at the Sochi Games.

This wasn't a victory over one of the hockey superpowers, but Slovakia is a formidable opponent with NHL stars Zdeno Chara on defense and Marian Hossa at forward.

One of the most impressive things about this game is the Americans lighting up Slovakia goalie Jaroslav Halak, who left in the second period with his team down 5-1. This wasn't a repeat of Sweden winning its opener Wednesday after chasing Czech Republic goalie Jakub Kovar, who plays in the KHL and has no NHL experience.

Halak is an established NHL goalie who is having a big season for a St. Louis Blues club that is one of the early Stanley Cup favorites.

Doing this to Halak has to be a confidence boost for the Americans, who figure to see a lot of good goaltenders throughout the Olympics.

No doubt, there was a lot to like about this win.

Here are 5 reasons to be excited about the Americans, who have a tougher game Saturday when facing Russia:

1. THE RESPONSE
The Americans were up 1-0 and playing well but still in a real fight when Slovakia tied the game 24 seconds into the second on a goal that shouldn't have counted due to a missed off-sides call. Team USA countered by getting mad at itself or the refs or … Regardless, it had the lead back 1:02 later on a goal by Ryan Kesler, then tacked on another and another and another and another and another. Altogether, this was unanswered six goals in a span of 13:51 and basically a loud message that said, "You're not in our league. We're going to bury you." For sure, the other contenders took notice.

2. BALANCED SCORING
Team USA execs were criticized for leaving a bunch of top scorers off the roster to build a more-rounded team that it hoped would provide a balanced attack, and that’s exactly what they got against Slovakia with all four forward lines plus a defenseman scoring goals. No, Team USA doesn’t have a Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin, but it had 11 of 20 skaters on the scoresheet in its opening-game win. Pretty impressive.

3. BEAT THE TRAP
The Americans will face the 1-4 trap in all three preliminary round games, and they smartly handled Slovakia’s attempts to slow down their offensive attack by playing it safe. Again and again, they threw the puck deep, then chased it and won puck battles to set up scoring opportunities. If you're not patient, the 1-4 trap can force you into a bunch of turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes coming your way, but the Americans did a great job of not letting that happen. Being successful by being patient against Slovakia should help them Saturday when they get another dose of the trap in their matchup against Russia.

4. LIMITED SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
The Americans blueliners aren’t quite a second coming off the 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins’ No-Name Defense, but Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonagh and Co. are vastly underrated because this group doesn’t have a big-name superstar like Canada with Shea Weber, Sweden with Erik Karlsson or Slovakia with Chara. Against Slovakia, Team USA goalie Jonathan Quick didn’t have to make many big saves, and the No. 1 reason was the defensemen in front of him did a great job of getting the puck out of their end quickly and efficiently.

5. CAMARADERIE BOOST
It’s not always easy for coaching staffs to convince players to take on lesser roles than their used to playing even in the Olympics, but guys tend to buy into things a lot better when the team is winning. For instance, Team USA coach Dan Bylsma uses rugged blueliner Brooks Orpik to play big minutes when he’s coaching the Penguins. Together again for the Olympics, Orpik played sparingly as Team USA’s 7th defenseman against Slovakia. But how can Orpik be discouraged after a big win? Also, Paul Stastny, Max Pacioretty and T.J. Oshie are stars on their NHL teams but played on the fourth line against Slovakia. Statsny sure didn't let it bother him, as the son of former Devils star and Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny had a two-goal game with his dad in the stands.